Why do people start a sentence with 'So'?

mfp_1

I thought 'so' was supposed to be used in the middle of a a sentence, like this one:
"We ran out of food so we ate the dog's."

Now I see 'so' being used at the start of sentences:
"So I bought a set of food scales yesterday."

I think it's only happened recently. Why is that?

treetop57

So, why do you care?

interceptor311

I have a guy at work that follows every thought with "So". Drives me insane!!!!

Farfourah

Because you can...there isn't a grammatical rule that says you can't start a sentence with so. So, it goes.

sunkisses

I have a BA in English. Even I don't give a math about starting a sentence with "so."

treetop57

So true!

fitby38

So, why do you care?

LMAO!!!!

McKayMachina

Recently? Like, as in within the last 20 years? Because that's how long I've noticed it.

And before that time I was <6 so I can't really comment. XD

I say it when I'm hinting at something. Like:

"Sooooo, Jessica texted me today. She said she's seeing that jerk, Kyle, again..."

Just sets the tone for the statement.

lickmybaconcakes

It's just a thought trailing thing usually people use the word "like" aswell.

PJilly

What I've noticed lately is some people (e.g., the Kardashians) answering a question by starting with, "I mean…"

katie133

because they want to....
lol

mixedfeelings

I don't usually but now I kind of feel compelled to do so.

Anthonydaman

I think it makes text speech sound more casual and fluid

PJilly

What I've noticed lately is some people (e.g., the Kardashians) answering a question by starting with, "I mean…"

For example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=507ikSb4ZcY

spottedlee

better SO than YOU KNOW every other sentence

kb455

I actually do this quite often. Never given it much thought though until now.

cmriverside

Wait. What? Now this is another rule? Oh, FFS.

treetop57

In the beginning, people put "so" at the beginning of sentences:

Genesis 2:

21.  So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.

Genesis 3:

24.  So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 4:

3. So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.
5. . So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
15.  So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.

Genesis 5:

5.  So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.
8.  So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and he died.
11.  So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years, and he died.
14.  So all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years, and he died.
17.  So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died.
20.  So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died.
23.  So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.
27.  So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years, and he died.
31.  So all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died.

So endth the lesson.

fitby38

so .... next topic!

Evelyn_Gorfram

When used at the beginning of a sentence, "so" is mostly just a filler word, similar to "Well", "Um," "Er," "Like," "I mean," "You know," etc. It tells the listeners we have something to say, while giving the speaker time to gather his or her thoughts & figure out how best to say it.
For example:
"Well, um, er, so, I just up and told him that it wasn't really big enough to be ugly."

"So" can also be used at the beginning of a sentence to imply that some piece of introduction has been omitted, and the listener is going to be "dropped into the middle of the action."
For example:
"So, there I was; standing in the middle of the city's busiest intersection at 4 am; wearing nothing but Chanel No. 5, a hot pink feather boa, and a pair of hip waders."

(Or did you mean your question rhetorically? :ohwell: )

treetop57

"So, there I was; standing in the middle of the city's busiest intersection at 4 am; wearing nothing but Chanel No. 5, a hot pink feather boa, and a pair of hip waders."

So what happened next?

firesoforion

It's more conversational.

AnneH1977

In the beginning, people put "so" at the beginning of sentences:

Genesis 2:

21.  So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.

Genesis 3:

24.  So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 4:

3. So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.
5. . So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
15.  So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.

Genesis 5:

5.  So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.
8.  So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and he died.
11.  So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years, and he died.
14.  So all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years, and he died.
17.  So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died.
20.  So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died.
23.  So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.
27.  So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years, and he died.
31.  So all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died.

So endth the lesson.

Totally stole my answer.

ANeWcRe8N

really? lol...

_Timmeh_

So like I'm soooooo shure...

WingMan380

So there I was, riding my bike down the highway with a cute chick on the back with her long sexy legs wrapped around my waist.

WingMan380

"So hey can you see, by the dawn's early light........."

"So a deer, a female deer............"

charneus

I'm guilty of ending thoughts with "so" despite my every intention not to, and it drives me crazy, too. I'll sit there and say,

"Last night, I drank a beer, so..."

or

"I'm going to go take a bath now, so...."

As for staring sentences with "so", as many others have pointed out, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. Validated sentences with "So" at the beginning include:

"So as to not wake up mom, let's turn down the volume."
"So much has been done!"

and of course, the ever so childish:

"So, so, suck my toe, all the way to Mexico!"

charneus

"So hey can you see, by the dawn's early light........."

"So a deer, a female deer............"

That should be...

"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light..."

For a bald eagle pic... you don't know your Star Spangled Banner...

WingMan380

"So hey can you see, by the dawn's early light........."

"So a deer, a female deer............"

That should be...

"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light..."

For a bald eagle pic... you don't know your Star Spangled Banner...

It was a joke dude!!!
I am a very patriotic person and know every word of the National Anthem and can play it too.

charneus

Haha, it's okay. At least I didn't bust your chops on "sol" vs. "so" and that it should have been "do" anyway. I'm slipping!